Turbo - but, at what price?

This weeks TrainerRoad podcast had a long chat about noise from the trainers they kniw. May be worth having a listen (it was first question after they talked about their tests).

There are thousands of decent rides on bkool, either upload your own favourites with a fit or gpx file or look up a few well known routes.

Check out the Bkool winter league, it has 14 legs of varying length

I have a Bkool turbo that I enjoy using when I can't ride outdoors.

Some annoying features though, there's no QC on the '500,000 routes'.   I get fed up with scrolling through hopeless ones.   I've accidentally uploaded a couple myself, Bkool will not allow them to be deleted.

I also find the search function almost useless.

Having said that I've found several video rides I like and now stick to using those.

£830? 

I need to up my game, GJ 

I also picked up a NEO in the sales-£830! -while I was waiting for the Flux. Seems Tacx have lots of problems with early Flux models with a not insignificant failing for various reasons. I am sure they will get on top of it but I am glad I am not an early adopter on this occasion. Something tried and tested may be a better option.

First time I ever turned up at a tri club turbo session was with a mountain bike complete with knobblies. Sounded awesome in the hall but the instructor was far too easily able to hear when I started slacking.

Aye and sound like an airplane was taking off in your house.

Op, rather than spending a  fortune on a smart trainer to use with trainer road, another option would be to get a powermeter and a  good "dumb" trainer for about 200 quid.  It would make more sense unless you never intend to ride outside and you would get consistent power data inside and out.

They're all ridiculously noisy bar a small number. 

Tacx Neo

Tacx Flux

Kickr 2

Elite Drivo

Real Turbo Muin +

Maybe a couple more. But I've listened to most of them on the market as I've been researching these for months before finally settling on one. Also buy a trainer with Zwift in mind, even if Zwift isn't on the cards right this moment. Something with power, bluetooth and ANT+. And Quiet.

Just finance a really good one if you don't want to throw cash at it. Tacx Flux would be the most sensible purchase really.

Hi Johnnyvee

Happy to talk turkey with you

Glyph? i typed "you"!

 Used and raced a bkool for 18 months. Relatively quiet, deal with gradients up to 15%. Bkool software a little challenging but 500,000 routes? Videos of the great climbs? League races and competitions? Honestly, it's great and a really supportive community of users over at cyclechat. No, not as swish or clean as Zwift-which I also love- but closed circuits etc. Anyway, I would say the turbo is the equal of any other wheel on turbo. 

Sigma had the bkool pro for £370. Bargain for what it is. They might let glyph have it on interest free.

less capable is the tacx vortex at Halfords for about £180 with BC membership and a very capable smart trainer.

Noise-wise - you'll definitely find that different trainers make a different pitched noise and that is probably as important as the actual volume when assessing irritation.  Check for videos on Youtube.

Hi Jonny

Lots to consider  

Happy to advise you as there is likely more than one answer and noise may be relevent to your neighbours as well as the people in your own home

Also, there are different levels of "smart" in smart trainers

Call 020 8133 6432 if you like.